Chavan ignores Rosaiah request, appeals Naidu to return to Andhra Pradesh

MUMBAI: Ignoring the request of his Andhra Pradesh counterpart K Rosaiah to allow Chandrababu Naidu to visit the Babhli irrigation project site, Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan on Sunday appealed to the TDP chief to return to his state owing to the "sensitive" situation in the region.

"I have requested Chandrababu to return to Andhra Pradesh as the situation in the area is very sensitive," Chavan said here on Sunday.

Chandrababu is trying to politicise the situation, keeping an eye on by-elections in Andhra Pradesh. He should take bail and return to his state, Chavan said.

"He either has to go back or his custody would be extended. It is not correct to enter the state by breaking laws and then call for a bandh in Andhra Pradesh," the chief minister said.

Earlier in the day, Rosaiah spoke to Chavan urging him to let a Telugu Desam Party team led by Naidu to visit the Babhli barrage.

"The matter is subjudice and the court's decision has to be respected," Chavan said, adding, "what is he going to achieve by visiting Babhli barrage?"

The TDP chief and 74 partymen were arrested Friday at Dharmabad during the protest over an irrigation project in Babhli and remanded to two days judicial custody yesterday after they refused to take bail.

Meanwhile, local politicians have set up an All-Party Action Committee on the initiative of Congress MP Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar and MLA Omprakash Pokarana.

Speaking to the media after the first meeting of the committee, Khatgaonkar said "we have requested the government to ask Chandrababu to leave the place by tomorrow. We would call Nanded bandh on July 20 if he does not change his stand."

"I also requested him (Chavan) to permit them to go around and have a look at it. So, I told him please provide necessary bandobast and help and allow them to go around," Rosaiah had said.

TDP has called a state-wide bandh in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow in protest against the arrest of Naidu and 74 legislators.